Southwest of Bordeaux, at the entrance to the Bay of Arcachon, there is a giant sand dune called Dune du Pilat. The Dune seems benevolent enough but it’s consumed houses and is in the process of suffocating trees. Dunes can be so cruel.

We just got back from a road trip through the southwest region of France. Adam has always had an interest in Basque culture, particularly how its people have managed to preserve their language and identity over the last millennia, so we figured Bayonne was a good place to start.

4pm – load luggage (see below) into cab (cab driver with furrowed brow, instantly regretting his proximity to our house at the time of our call to his dispatcher, not pictured), drive to Dulles Airport.